If you have found your way to our website, the probability is that you have been giving some thought to the nappy options available for your little one. Below are our top 5 bits of information about cloth nappies. We hope that this helps catalyse your journey to using cloth nappies!
# Nicer for your baby
The bottom line is that when it comes to our little ones, what we care about the most when deciding between different products is whether or not this is the best possible choice for our baby.
Modern cloth nappies are all manufactured using soft and stretchy fabrics such as super soft bamboo, terry cotton and quick drying absorbent microfibre. Cloth nappies do not contain any harsh chemicals, plastics and adhesives that form the basis of disposables and therefore there is no need to apply nappy cream to your baby's bottom. Most mums claim that their babies get less nappy rash when using cloth nappies.
# Kinder to the environment
Babies go through on average 5000 nappy changes before they are potty trained. The 450 billion disposable diapers used each year contribute nearly 77 million tons of solid waste to landfills, and a disposable diaper takes at least 500 years to degrade. Even just using cloth nappies part time will have a significant effect on the reduction of single use plastic as well as the volume of waste hitting landfills every year.
# Better for your bank account
Depending on the brand, disposables can cost around €0.30 each. This means you could easily spend around €45 on disposables a month, or over €1000 by the time your child reaches the age of two. For around €400 you can buy a complete set of cloth nappies including accessories such as nappy buckets and waterproof bags. Most nappies are cleverly designed so they can be adjusted to fit babies from birth to potty, with the exception of preterm babies and tiny newborns. In addition to this, you can reuse cloth nappies for subsequent babies, in which case the saving is even higher!
# Fun to look at
Modern cloth nappies are trim fitting and come in a variety of fabrics and designs that make them super fun to look. You might not even want to cover them up! And that might come in very handy during the hot Maltese summers!
# Easier to potty train
Before disposables hit the market, babies were potty-trained at a much earlier age than they are today. In the 1950’s, toddlers began potty-training at around 11 months. Since cloth nappies do not contain any chemicals or additives, babies feel wet when they soil them. This helps your little one to quickly learn the connection between being wet and needing to go to the toilet.
Nappy types
# All in One Nappies
As the name suggests, All in One nappies consist of just one piece, in which the outer waterproof layer and the absorbent parts are permanently attached together to form one item. In most models currently available on the market, the absorbent part tucks into a pocket and can be unfolded to speed up drying. If required, an extra booster can be added on to increase absorbency.
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# All in Two Nappies
All in Two Nappies are similar to the All in Ones however the absorbent part of these nappy models can be completely unattached from the outer waterproof layer when washing and drying. The inner absorbent part is normally attached to the outer layer by means of a popper system. The outer layer can be re-used more than once if not soiled thus saving on washing.
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# Pocket Nappies
Pocket nappies consist of an outer waterproof layer and absorbent inserts which can be inserted into a pouch or pocket built into the outer layer. The outer layer is usually lined with fleece which is very soft on babies' bottoms. Inserts (sometimes also referred to as boosters) can be made out of several materials such as microfibre, bamboo, cotton, hemp or a mixture of these. You can choose to add as many inserts as you need. Inserts need to be removed during washing and drying.
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# Two Part Nappies
Two part nappies consist of separate nappy covers and inner absorbent layers. Nappy covers are sometimes also referred to as nappy wraps. The inner layer can be modern shaped or a traditional flat nappy similar to a terry square. These nappies are normally the most absorbent and leak-proof of all nappies. Similar to the All in Twos, the nappy cover can be used more than once if not soiled and therefore you will require fewer covers.
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Nappy materials
PUL
PUL, or polyurethane laminate, is a very popular material that is used as the waterproof element of most cloth nappies ie. the outer layer. PUL is an extremely useful fabric due to its great properties - it is breathable, stretchy, durable, quick to dry and most importantly water-resistant.
PUL is made from laminating a thin film of polyester or cotton with another thin film of polyurethane. Polyester-based PUL fabrics are best for leak prevention as cotton-based PUL tends to wick moisture to the outside of the nappy causing leaks. The polyester side of PUL is bright and soft whilst the other is duller and a bit sticky to the touch, although harmless to babies' skins.
PUL is easy to take care of by washing at 60°c or slightly cooler in order to preserve its waterproofing properties.
Fleece
Fleece is the most common material used to line nappies and is therefore the fabric closest to babies' bottoms. Fleece normally refers to a synthetic fabric made completely out of polyester. This material is not absorbent but is very good at wicking moisture away thus leaving babies dry and comfortable. It is also easy to shake solids off from and when washed is stain free and quick drying.
Another type of fleece is the natural fleece which is made from natural fibres like cotton, bamboo and hemp. Although this material is more absorbent, it is less efficient at wicking away moisture than synthetic blends.
The following materials are most commonly used for absorbency layers in cloth nappies:
Microfibre
Microfibre is a synthetic material made out of polyester. The fibres of this materials are tiny and there are lots of them. This property makes microfibre very absorbent. Microfibre is light and can hold up to 8 times its weight in liquid. It is also quicker drying than other materials used in cloth nappy production.
Since microfibre holds liquid between its fibres, liquid can be forced back out similar to a sponge. This might cause leaks, better known as compression leaks. For smaller babies or light wetters, microfibre may be enough when used on its own however with older babies and heavy wetters, the material can become saturated and thus works best when used on top of cotton, bamboo or hemp.
Since microfibre is a man-made material, it is not biodegradable.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural fibre and thus absorbs liquid inside the cells rather than between the cells like microfibre. This makes the material highly absorbent but slower to dry. Cotton can hold up to 27 times its weight in liquid. It is very breathable and will keep babies' bottoms nice and cool.
Cotton is very durable and can be washed at high temperatures. It can also take heat from dryers.
Typically cotton plants are plagued by pests and the material normally contains chemicals unless it specifically indicates that it is organic.
Hemp
Hemp is a very slim but very thirsty material, making it ideal for boosting absorbency. It is, however, slow-absorbing and is best used when topped or blended with other materials such as cotton or microfibre.
Hemp has a similar structure to cotton but is stronger, more absorbent and more durable. Wearing, washing and drying makes the fibres less dense, thus increasing the spaces where liquid can be stored. It can take hemp up to 10 washes in order for it to reach maximum absorbency.
Hemp plants require very little water and can be harvested just 4 months after being sown. The plant also suppresses weeds and therefore hardly needs any pesticides.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a relatively new material in cloth nappy production. It is completely natural. Similar to hemp, bamboo is a very slim and thirsty material. As it is slow-absorbing, it is best used when topped or blended with cotton or microfibre. Bamboo is the slowest absorbing out of the materials more commonly used in cloth nappies.
Bamboo is a very soft material making it very attractive for use with babies' products. Similar to hemp, it grows quickly requiring no or very small amounts of pesticides. Bamboo fibres are naturally resistant to bacteria.
Bamboo is slow to dry and dislikes hot temperatures.
How many nappies?
As a general guide, you will need somewhere between 15 and 25 cloth nappies.
This number will depend on:
- the type of nappy you opt for - when using an All in Two or a Two Part nappy system you will probably get away with fewer nappy covers than inner absorbent layers as you do not need to change the cover with every nappy change unless it is soiled. These nappy systems will require less stock than the All in One or Pocket nappy systems. For more information refer to the Nappy Types section.
- your baby's age keeping in mind that normally newborns and younger babies tend to need more frequent nappy changes than older babies and toddlers
- whether you'll be using cloth nappies full time or part time
- how often you intend to do a nappy wash - having more nappies in your stash means you can afford to go longer between washes before running out of nappies!
Nappy accessories
Nappy buckets do a great job of keeping used nappy odour contained. Having a nappy bucket is the easiest way to store dirty nappies between washes.
Laundry Mesh
Laundry meshes are very convenient and removes the need for re-handling used nappies when transferring them into the washing machine. After every nappy change, simply take the nappy apart and pop it into the mesh. When wash day comes along, all you have to do is simply pop the whole mesh into the washing machine without getting your hands dirty. It is recommended to have two laundry mesh bags so that you can use one while the other is in the wash.
Wet Bag
Wet bags are ideal for transporting dirty nappies when you're out and about. It can also be an alternate way of storing dirty nappies at home. You can use it as you would a laundry mesh. Besides, wet bags are very handy for a lot of other uses such as transporting wet clothes or swimwear while keeping your other items drip-free.
Laundry Detergent
Nappy detergents are designed for washing cloth nappies making them optimal both for cleaning the nappies as well as taking care of the delicate fabrics such as cotton and bamboo.
Nappy Liners
Some people opt out of using nappy liners however they can make nappy changes much easier especially once a baby has started weaning and the poo is no longer water-soluble! Nappy liners help in two main ways:
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they allow urine to pass through thus improving the sensation of a drier bottom
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they catch any poo and can easily be disposed of either in a bin or, if biodegradable and flushable, in the toilet.
Boosters / Additional Inserts
Boosters are sometimes needed if your baby is a heavy wetter or to provide extra absorbency during night time.
Baby wipes
Baby wipes are a must when you have a baby, whether you opt for cloth or disposable nappies. As well as disposable biodegradable wipes, cloth wipes are also available.
Washing cloth nappies
# Step 1 - Store soiled nappies
Once a nappy has been used, simply take the nappy apart and pop it into a nappy bucket or a waterproof bag until wash day. There is no need to soak modern cloth nappies.
# Step 2 - Load the machine
Put the laundry mesh or wet bag containing soiled nappies into the machine.
# Step 3 - Cold rinse cycle
Run a cold rinse cycle. This will rinse off most of the mess and helps eliminate stains and odours. Rinse cycles are not normally longer than 15 minutes.
# Step 4 - Wash cycle
Wash nappies at 40 or 60 °C depending on manufacturers' instructions.
Washing at 40°C will use less energy and prolong the life of the nappies. Washing at 60°C destroys more bacteria. A 40°C wash is adequate for the most part. You should choose the longest cycle you can find on your washing machine. Nappies are heavily soiled items and therefore need a long deep wash.
# Step 5 - Dry
The best way to dry cloth nappies is by hanging them outside in the sun and natural air. The sun will also help as it acts as a natural bleacher and will keep you nappies and inserts nice and white. If this is not possible, the next best thing is to dry them on a rack inside. Tumble drying on a low setting can also be an option if you are tight on space or time however always check manufacturers' instructions first.
Useful tips:
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Use powdered detergent. Gel washing liquids can decrease absorbency.
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Non-bio detergent is advised for washing nappies and babies' clothes in general. It is gentler on babies' sensitive skin.
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Use around half to full dose of detergent for one wash.
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Never use fabric softener as this can affect absorbency.
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Dark or strong colours should be washed separately for the first few of washes.
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Some washing machines have a baby and toddler setting which is an intensive wash program followed by several rinses to make sure that the majority of the detergent is removed following the wash.
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New cloth nappies should be washed once or twice before first use as this will increase absorbency. Some materials, such as bamboo, can take up to six washes to reach their full absorbency. You can still use the nappies but might need to change them more often until they reach maximum absorbency.
Saving money with cloth nappies
You might think that the main motivation for using cloth nappies should be purely environmental however a lot of parents decide to go with cloth mainly due to the cost savings when compared to using disposables.
The numbers speak for themselves!
By the time your baby is potty trained, you would have spent on average €1200 on disposable nappies. At the end, you have nothing to show for it.
Below we have calculated the cost you need to spend in order to use cloth nappies full time. At the end of it, you are left with a nappy stash and accessories which you can utilise again if you have a second baby or more!
Out & about
Is the thought of going out and about with cloth nappies seeming a bit daunting? If you are well-prepared, it will not only be as easy as going out with disposable nappies but also more stylish! Here are some top tips.
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A wet bag is an invaluable accessory you might want to invest in. It can lend itself to several situations including when you are out and about to help keep the odours inside. Wet bags come in a variety of sizes and designs.
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If you have different types and brands of nappies in your stash, choose the ones that work best for you ie. the most absorbent and reliable ones.
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Make sure that the nappies you pack with you are already assembled so there is minimum fussing about when you are out.
- Pack enough nappies. Don't get caught out!
Nappy troubleshooting
Fit
# One of the most common problems with babies and nappies, whether they are reusable or disposable, is that leaks will occur. Nappies will leak if they're not put on and adjusted correctly. One size options are very popular with cloth nappies. It is important to make sure they are adjusted properly as your baby grows and changes shape.
# For premature or very small babies, try using newborn and x-small nappies as this will ensure that the nappy will fit snugly on your little one.
# Cloth nappies sit lower at the back than disposables do. If the leaks are occurring at the front, especially if it's a boy, try to bring the front of the nappy higher by pulling it lower at the back.
# Make sure that the leg elastic is sitting in the crease at the top of the baby's leg and not round the thigh. The elastic should be tight enough at the leg and the waist but loose enough so you can slide a finger under the elastic. If the nappy is too loose, you may get leaks around the leg holes.
# Sometimes, nappies leak if they are too tight. If a nappy is squeezed tight against the baby, it cannot hold as much liquid. This is usually seen with the wetness being more prevalent around the leg holes and might be an indication that it's time to move up a size or rise setting.
# Similarly, if clothes are too tight over the nappy, the tightness might 'squeeze' the liquid back out of the nappy. In this case, try going up a clothing size.
# Check that all the absorbent parts of the nappy are tucked right in to avoid the liquid leaking into the clothes. Similarly, ensure that clothes are not tucked into the nappy.
Absorbency
# Brand new cloth nappies should be washed once or twice before first use as this will increase absorbency. Some materials, such as bamboo, can take up to six washes to reach their full absorbency. You can still use the nappies but might need to change them more often until they reach maximum absorbency.
# Understand which fabrics works best for your situation. Fabrics like bamboo and hemp are a lot more absorbent than microfibre but they absorb liquid at a slower rate. A mixture of fabrics is normally a good idea.
# As your baby grows, they will pee larger quantities so you might need additional inserts and boosters. When babies are entirely milk fed they will pee more. Once they start eating solids, the amount of liquid that needs to be absorbed will normally decrease. If the nappy is heavy with liquid when you change it, it is highly likely that you need a booster.
# If your nappies and inserts don't seem to be as absorbent as they used to be, it may be that you have a build-up of detergent in the fabric, caused either by using too much detergent or inadequate rinsing. Modern washing machines are very economical with water and you may need to do an extra rinse after washing the nappies. A good long wash followed by several rinses should sort this out. This is normally referred to as strip-washing. Powdered detergents work better than liquid ones.
Stains
# Stains do not mean that the nappies are dirty but if you prefer your nappies and inserts to be nice and white, then hang them outdoors in daylight. There is enough UV even in weak winter sunshine to bleach out most stains. If you do not have an outside area, hang nappies next to an open window.
Damaged waterproofing
# If you can see wet patches on the outside of the nappy that are coming through the actual PUL fabric, then the nappy or wrap may be damaged or faulty or just getting very old.
If you're still stuck as to why your nappy is leaking, email us on brenda@shoploreandleaf.com and we will help!
